Resealable pop top lid

ABSTRACT

A pop top lid encloses a cylindrical fluid container. The pop top lid includes an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel; and a stay-on tab assembly riveted through a central portion to the end shell for rotation. An aperture point is attached to a central portion and rotatably positioned proximate to an inner edge of the scored line. A shearing edge is attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point. An actuator portion is attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point, is liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point, and is rotatable to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/810,355 entitled “RESEALABLE POP TOP LID”, filed Feb. 25, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to sealed metal containers, and more specifically to sealed metal containers have a pop top actuator for unsealing an opening.

2. Description of the Related Art

Beverage cans continue to a very popular and effective way to preserve, transport, and consume liquids. Aluminum foil formed into beverage cans provides a safe and recyclable material that preserves the liquid contents. To avoid litter and choking hazards, removable pull tabs have largely been replaced by pull tabs that are retained on an end shell of the beverage can. Given the short amount of leverage afforded by the generally-known pull tabs, many consumers have to rely on a tool to pry up the pull tab and to provide additional leverage. Often the mechanical strength of the pull tab itself is insufficient to sufficiently shear a scored line on the pop top lid to create an opening for pouring the liquid contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric top view illustrating a sealed can having pop top lid, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an isometric top view of a stay-on tab assembly of the pop top lid of FIG. 1 with a top cover flipped over to expose a hingedly attached bottom plate, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an isometric top view of the stay-on tab assembly of FIG. 2 with the top cover positioned over the bottom plate, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an isometric top view of the stay-on tab assembly of FIG. 3 cutaway along lines A-A, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an isometric top right view of the pop top lid of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the pop top lid of FIG. 5 in cross section along lines B-B, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an isometric bottom view of a prototype stay-on tab assembly, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 8 is an isometric bottom view of an end shell of a prototype pop top lid, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 9A is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 8 after tilting a liftable actuator portion of the top cover of the stay-on tab assembly to begin an initial shear of the scored line around a tear panel, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 9B is an isometric bottom view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 9A, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 10A is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 8 after a first amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly to move a tear shearing edge of an aperture creation point into an aperture opening and under tear panel, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 10B is an isometric bottom view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 10A with tear panel removal edge of bottom plate in view under tear panel, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 11A is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 8 after an additional second amount of rotation of the stay-on tab assembly to complete shearing of inner radius of the scored line by the tear shearing edge of the aperture creation point, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 11B is an isometric bottom view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 11A, shows that the tear panel removal edge of bottom plate advances under tear panel to expose a reseal embossing surface that lifts the tear panel to further cause shearing from the end shell, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 12A is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 8 after a further third amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly with the top cover positioned over the tear panel, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 12B is an isometric bottom view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 12A with tear panel removal edge of bottom plate advanced under most of tear panel, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 13A is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 8 after a further fourth amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly with the top cover positioned over the tear panel to a resealed position, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 13B is an isometric bottom view of the prototype pop top lid of FIG. 13A with tear panel removal edge of bottom plate advanced to position the reseal embossing surface in a panel opening exposed by removal of the tear panel, according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric top view of the prototype pop top lid after rotating the stay-on tab assembly of FIG. 13A in either direction by 180° to unseal and expose the panel opening, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present innovation, a pop top lid encloses a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container. In one or more embodiments, the pop top lid includes an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel. The pop top lid includes a stay-on tab assembly. The pop top lid includes a rivet that attaches the stay-on tab assembly to the end shell for rotation. The stay-on tab assembly includes a central portion having a pivot hole that receives the rivet. The stay-on tab assembly includes an aperture point attached to the central portion and rotatably positionable proximate to an inner edge of the scored line. The stay-on tab assembly includes a shearing edge attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point in a first direction of rotation about the pivot hole. The stay-on tab assembly includes an actuator portion attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point. The actuator portion is liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point. The actuator portion is rotatable in the first direction of rotation to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell.

In one or more embodiments, the pop top lid further includes: (i) a bottom plate comprising the aperture point and the shearing edge; (ii) a top cover comprising the actuator portion and an extending portion that is positioned over top of a portion of the score line to direct a sheared portion of the tear panel downward; and (iii) a tear panel capturing slot between the bottom plate and the top cover positioned to receive the sheared portion of the tear panel as directed by the extending portion of the top cover. In a particular embodiment, the pop top lid further includes a capturing pocket downwardly formed within the bottom plate within the tear panel capturing slot. The capturing pocket is sized to correspond to receive the tear panel, wherein an undersurface of the tear panel capturing slot comprises a reseal mating surface. The reseal mating surface is rotationally positionable by the top cover to reseal a panel opening formed in the end shell with removal of the tear panel.

In one or more embodiments, the pop top lid further includes an annular recess formed partially around the rivet hole in the central portion of top cover to define a pivot tab that is attached to the aperture point. The annular recess reduces force required to lift the actuator portion away from the end shell to allow finger actuation.

In one or more embodiments, the pop top lid further includes a flipped up edge of the actuator portion to facilitate finger actuation of the stay-on tab assembly.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. For example, specific details such as specific method orders, structures, elements, and connections have been presented herein. However, it is to be understood that the specific details presented need not be utilized to practice embodiments of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from general scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

References within the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments”, or “one or more embodiments” are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of such phrases in various places within the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sealed can 100 having a circular bottom 102, a cylindrical side wall 104, and a pop top lid 106. In one or more embodiments, sealed can 100 is formed of aluminum and is used to contain and dispense liquids or flowable solid granules. The pop top lid 106 consists of: (i) an end shell 108 having a tear panel 110 defined by a scored line 112; (ii) a stay-on tab assembly 114; and (iii) a rivet 116. The pop top lid 106 can conform to B64 can end standards. The stay-on tab assembly 114 is fixed to the end shell 108 by the rivet 116 at a center point of end shell 108 that allows rotational movement. An inward edge 118 of scored line 112 is radially spaced from the rivet 116 and corresponds to a tear panel shearing edge 120 extending from an aperture creation point 122 of a top cover 124 of the stay-on tab assembly 114. Proximate to the aperture creation point 122, a three-quarter annular aperture 126 formed through the top cover 124 at a center portion 127, defining a rivet tab 128 that receives rivet 116 and provides a fulcrum-to-load portion of a class 1 lever. A liftable actuator portion 130 at a trailing, counter-clock-wise side of top cover 124 extends close to an opposite edge of pop top lid 106 relative to tear panel 110 and provides a fulcrum-to-effort portion of the class 1 lever. The three-quarter annular aperture 126 enables an initial upward tilt of the liftable actuator portion 130 to be accomplished with minimal force to initiate shearing of the scored line 112. As will discussed herein, with subsequent clockwise rotation, the stay-on tab assembly 114 shears the tear panel 110 away from a circular top surface 118 at the scored line 112 for exposing a panel opening 132. Simultaneously, the stay-on tab assembly 114 captures the removed tear panel 110. With further rotation, the stay-on tab assembly 114 selectably reseals and unseals the panel opening 132.

FIG. 2 illustrates the stay-on tab assembly 114 of the pop top lid 106 (FIG. 1) with the top cover 124 flipped over to expose an attachment by a hinge 125 bottom plate 134 in an unfolded position. The hinge 125 can be a transverse area of thin metal that is readily deformable into a fold. FIG. 3 illustrates the stay-on tab assembly 114 with the top cover 124 positioned over the bottom plate 134 in a folded position. Returning to FIG. 2, top cover 124 and bottom plate 134 contribute respectively upper and lower portions 136 a, 136 b of three-quarter annular aperture 126 that align when in a folded position in FIG. 3. Top cover 124 and bottom plate 134 contribute respectively as well as upper and lower portions 138 a, 138 b of rivet tab 128 having respective rivet holes 140 a, 140 b that align when in the folded position in FIG. 3. An outer spacer 142 is attached on an underside of the top cover 124 and an inner spacer 144 is attached to an upper surface of the bottom plate 134. The inner spacer 144 provides about 0.32″ thickness of the bottom plate 134 for stiffness along the hinge 125 between the top cover 124 and the bottom plate 134 and a semicircle between the aperture creation point 122 and the rivet 116 (FIG. 1). A tear panel shearing edge 148 extends behind aperture creation point 122, both of which are part of bottom plate 134. Tear panel shearing edge 148 is knife edged and ramps up to a general thickness of the bottom plate 134, which in an exemplary embodiment is about 0.010″. The bottom plate 134 is downwardly embossed to create a tear panel capturing pocket 150 sized to receive the tear panel 110 (FIG. 1) after removal. FIG. 4 illustrates the stay-on tab assembly 114 of FIG. 3 cutaway along lines A-A. The outer and inner spacers 142, 144 maintain a tear panel capture slot 152 dimensioned to receive the tear panel 110 (FIG. 1) during removal and to direct the tear panel 110 to the tear panel capturing pocket 150. A reseal mating surface 154 on a lower surface corresponds to the tear panel capturing pocket 150 on the upper side.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the end shell 108 presents a flat circular disk surface 156 inside of top ring 158 of pop top lid 106. The stay-on tab assembly 114 is dimensioned to rotate on flat circular disk surface 156. In one embodiment, the stay-on tab assembly 114 is dimensioned to rotate 360° on flat circular disk surface 156. FIG. 6 illustrates that a reseal mating surface 154 of stay-on tab assembly 114 slides against the flat circular disk surface 156 when not aligned with reseal panel opening 132 (FIG. 1). The reseal mating surface 154 corresponds to the tear panel capturing pocket 150 on the upper side. The tear panel capture slot 152 passes under the top cover 124 and above the tear panel capturing pocket 150.

FIG. 7 illustrates the bottom side of a prototype stay-on tab assembly 114, exposing a The reseal mating surface 154, which, when aligned in the bottom plate 134 (FIG. 1) reseals panel opening 132 (FIG. 14). FIG. 8 illustrates the bottom side of the end shell 108 having the scored line 112 etched into the flat circular disk 156 to define the tear panel 110 and having a center fastener 164 installed for receiving the stay-on tab assembly 114 (FIG. 7).

This disclosed prototype embodiment is an aluminum stay-on tab device designed to remove a tear panel access to a beverage container and rotate a resealable mating face into the opening left behind by removing the tear panel. This design exists on the top surface of a standard beverage can end shell, is held in place and actuates around a centrally placed standard rivet, utilizes a standard industry scored tear panel and is constructed of 0.010″ foil. The entire device can be constructed to be not taller than 0.050″ in height and operates with very low forces. The stay-on tab assembly is a folded design that when rotated, completely removes a scored tear panel and encases that panel in a pocket between two layers of 0.010″ aluminum.

This disclosed prototype embodiment is a proof of concept model of the disclosed innovation. The tab assembly was computer numerical control (CNC) milled from aluminum sheet stock and attached to a B64 end shell. The score shape was modeled by engraving a line directly on an end shell. The tab bottom plate was embossed to represent the reseal face of the design, however, the embossed face shown here does not have an undercut draft that would allow this face to mate with the opening in such a way that with the proper plastic coating the reseal function could be rendered gas tight. The model disclosed here is not meant to be exclusionary, simply demonstrative. The proof of concept model was milled from 0.040″ aluminum for the bottom plate, and 0.016″ aluminum for the top cover. A small machine screw mimics the rivet and the tear panel is defined by an engraved line directly in the B64 end shell to mimic a scored panel. The bottom plate of the assembly was embossed in order to visually define the reseal mating face, though this embossing does not contain any draft to facilitate this face “snapping” into the open tear panel.

FIGS. 9A-14 illustrate sequence of operation of the stay-on tab assembly 114. FIG. 9A illustrates the prototype pop top lid 106 after tilting the liftable actuator portion 130. A counter clockwise edge of the top cover 124 is turned upward to present a first thumb pull area 160. A clockwise edge of the top cover 124 extends beyond the bottom plate 134 and is upwardly turned, providing a second thumb pull area 162. Either thumb pull area 160, 162 can be actuated to lift and to rotate the stay-on tab assembly 114 to begin an initial shear of the scored line 112 around the tear panel 110. FIG. 9B illustrates an aperture 164 formed in the scored line 112. In one or more embodiments, initial aperture 164 creation occurs from lifting the first thumb pull area 160 upwards about 20° from horizontal. The actual aperture only needs to be 0.015″ or so in height, and very little force is needed to accomplish this. Once the aperture is created the rest of the movement is rotational, in plane with the flat circular disk surface 156 of the end shell 108. With further reference to FIG. 9B, initial rotation of the tear panel removal edge 148 into an aperture 164 is shown. Once this removal edge 148 enters the aperture 164, the tear panel 110 is only able to enter the capture slot 152 (FIG. 2) in the stay-on tab assembly 114. The top cover 124 holds down the rising edge of the tear panel 110, ensuring that the only direction for continued travel results for the tear panel 110 is entering the capture slot 152.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate the prototype pop top lid 114 after a first amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly to move a tear shearing edge of an aperture creation point into an aperture opening and under tear panel. FIG. 10B illustrates a tear panel removal edge of bottom plate in view under tear panel. In an exemplary embodiment, the tear panel enters the void between the two layers of the tab assembly 114. This void has no dimension. the two layers of the tab assembly can touch each other. The only area that needs space is the initial capture slot next to the tear panel removal edge. The void between top and bottom halves of the tab assembly operates better if those two faces are touching, as this friction will grip the scored tear panel is it is leaving the end shell. This also allows for the entire tab assembly to be formed within an appropriate stacking space, even with the reseal face in place.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 8 after further rotating the stay-on tab assembly to complete shearing of inner radius of the scored line by the tear shearing edge of the aperture creation point. Score residuals will determine how far rotation can be completed while still forcing the tear panel into the capture slot. The top cover size and placement can be adjusted to account for how much of the tear panel is enclosed prior to complete fracture of the score. FIG. 11B illustrates tear panel shearing edge 148 of bottom plate 134 advanced under tear panel to expose a reseal embossing surface that lifts the tear panel to further cause shearing from the end shell. illustrates

FIG. 12A illustrates the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 8 after a further third amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly with the top cover positioned over the tear panel. FIG. 12B illustrates the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 12A with tear panel removal edge of bottom plate advanced under most of tear panel.

FIG. 13A illustrates the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 8 after a further fourth amount of rotating the stay-on tab assembly with the top cover positioned over the tear panel to a resealed position. FIG. 13B illustrates the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 13A with tear panel removal edge of bottom plate advanced to position the reseal embossing surface in a panel opening exposed by removal of the tear panel.

FIG. 14 illustrates the prototype pop top lid 114 of FIG. 8 after rotating the stay-on tab assembly of FIG. 13A in either direction by 180° to unseal the panel opening. To access the container contents, the reseal face is lifted approximately 0.025″ above the end shell using the thumb pull areas and rotated away from the tear panel opening. The reseal face can be placed back into position or reopened as many times as needed.

For clarity, a clockwise moving stay-on tab assembly 114 is described herein. The components can be easily mirrored in design to operate in a counterclockwise direction within the scope of the present disclosure to achieve similar results. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotation of about 100° accomplishes the operation. In other embodiments, dimensions of the components can differ, resulting in more or less rotation to achieve unsealing and re-sealing.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system, device or component thereof to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pop top lid for enclosing a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container, the pop top lid comprising: an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel; a stay-on tab assembly; and a rivet that attaches the stay-on tab assembly to the end shell for rotation, the stay-on tab assembly comprising: a central portion having a pivot hole that receives the rivet; an aperture point attached to the central portion and rotatably positionable proximate to an inner edge of the scored line; a shearing edge attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point in a first direction of rotation about the pivot hole; and an actuator portion attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point, liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point, and rotatable in the first direction of rotation to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell.
 2. The pop top lid of claim 1, further comprising: a bottom plate comprising the aperture point and the shearing edge; a top cover comprising the actuator portion and an extending portion that is position over top of a portion of the score line to direct a sheared portion of the tear panel downward; and a tear panel capturing slot between the bottom plate and the top cover positioned to receive the sheared portion of the tear panel as directed by the extending portion of the top cover.
 3. The pop top lid of claim 2, further comprising a capturing pocket downwardly formed within the bottom plate within the tear panel capturing slot, the capturing pocket sized to correspond to receive the tear panel, wherein an undersurface of the tear panel capturing slot comprises a reseal mating surface that is rotationally positionable by the top cover to reseal a panel opening formed in the end shell with removal of the tear panel.
 4. The pop top lid of claim 1, further comprising an annular recess formed partially around the rivet hole in the central portion of top cover to define a pivot tab that is attached to the aperture point, the annular recess reducing force required to lift the actuator portion away from the end shell to allow finger actuation.
 5. The pop top lid of claim 1, further comprising a flipped up edge of the actuator portion to facilitate finger actuation of the stay-on tab assembly. 